The Feb. 12 vote on two Seattle School levies has been a low-key campaign over big-ticket propositions: Almost always generous, Emerald City voters are being asked to approve two measures totaling $1.25 billion.

Prop. 1, totaling $552 million over three years, covers about 26 percent of the cost needed to operate Seattle's schools on a day-to-day basis. It's on the ballot because the Washington Legislature has not (yet) met its legal obligation to fully fund K-12 public education.

Once upon a time, 40 to 50 years ago, Seattle Public Schools enrolled more than 75,000 students: The total now is about 50,000, but with increased enrollment and problems of crowding cropping up in some North End schools.

Curiously, a Seattle Schools web site on the levies does not mention their total size. Both represent renewal of existing levies -- "These are not new taxes" argued one op-ed in support of the levies -- but there is some increase. The additional bill is estimated to add $153-160 to the annual property tax bill of a home values at $400,000.

The two levies are the only measures on Seattle's February ballot, with King County Elections forecasting a 37 percent voter turnout, less than half of the 80 percent-plus city turnout that propelled Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee to victory in last November's general election.

The levies are endorsed by such groups as the League of Education Voters, the League of Women Voters, the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, various Democratic district organizations, and the Municipal League of King County.

In its endorsement of Prop. 2, however, the Muni League put in this qualification: "However, the League's support of support did note some concerns relating to outreach, transparency, demographic projections, and the implications of significantly larger neighborhood schools."

Much is asked of Seattle voters, and much is always always given.

They voted in 2011 to approve a $231 million Families and Education Levy -- a 99 percent increase over the previous levy -- to provide a variety of school projects under auspices of the city's education office, not the Seattle School Board.

In last fall's election, they approved a levy designed to maintain and restore services at Seattle Libraries. Voters have, in recent years, taxed themselves for Seattle Parks and renovation of the Pike Place Market. In November, they approved a $290 million, 30-year measure to replace the city's aging seawall.

Within the mayor's next term, city fathers (and mothers) are likely to seek renewal of the nine-year, $365 million Bridging the Gap levy, approved in 2006 to repair city streets and create a network of bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths.

Only once in recent years -- with rejection of a $60 car tab fee in 2011 -- have Seattle voters dared to say no.

Emerald City voters have another eight days, until Tuesday, Feb. 12, to return their ballots.